Hotels, banquets in capital to stay shut

NEW DELHI: Hotels, banquets and weekly markets will continue to remain closed for business in Delhi with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal overturning the Delhi government’s Thursday’s order issued under the Centre’s Unlock 3 plan, the third phase of the gradual lifting of curbs announced to stop the spread of Covid-19.

A statement issued by the L-G’S office on Friday said, “The matter was discussed with chief minister and it was agreed that while there has been improvement, pandemic situation in the capital continues to be fragile and the threat is still far from over.”

Besides hotels and banquet halls, the government had also allowed street hawkers to operate after the Covid lockdown. A decision on gymnasiums and yoga centres, however, was deferred.

“A cautious and conservative approach is required. While the proposal to allow Rehari Patriwallahs (street hawkers) to operate for longer hours with effect from August 1 was approved, the proposals of the opening of hotels and hospitality services and opening of weekly bazaars are deferred for the time being and would be reviewed later by the SDMA,” it said.

The L-G is the chairperson of the SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority) while chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is the vice-chairperson.

However, a Delhi government spokesperson denied there was any agreement between the CM and L-G regarding the overturning of Thursday’s decision.

“The statement from Raj Niwas is incorrect. Without getting into the details, we want to say that if the L-G agrees, we can send the proposal again for reconsideration. The revival of Delhi’s economy, while containing Covid-19, is the topmost priority of the Delhi government. The chief minister has always been a strong votary of reopening economy,” the spokesperson said. AAP’S national spokesperson Raghav Chadha criticised the move.htc